Laughing gas is destroying a segment of the youth in Nghe An.
(Baonghean.vn) - The trend of using laughing gas as a "novelty" among young people in Nghe An province is increasing. This is an alarming situation for the health, lives, and cognitive abilities and behavioral control of young people.
Laughing gas… makes people cry.
On February 1, 2019, the People's Committee of Nghe An province issued document No. 806 on strengthening the prevention and control of illegal production, business, and use of nitrous oxide (laughing gas) in the area.
The official document states that recently, the use of nitrous oxide (laughing gas) has been observed in the province, posing a threat to health, life, and cognitive abilities, especially among young people. While the use of nitrous oxide has not yet caused major consequences in the province, some other provinces and cities have reported incidents with particularly serious consequences.
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| Many young people were caught in Vinh City Police freely inhaling nitrous oxide (laughing gas) at a bar. (Photo: Nghe An Police) |
On December 24, 2018, the Special Task Force of the Police Department for Administrative Management of Social Order discovered two individuals, Nguyen Tuan Anh and Dang Ba Thao (both 25 years old and residing in Dong Vinh Ward, Vinh City), engaging in the buying and selling of nitrogen gas.20. Upon inspection, the individuals were unable to present a business license or other legal documents related to the shipment. The seized items included 25 cylinders of nitrogen gas.20 and nearly 4,000 rubber balls.
In many bars and restaurants, nitrous oxide balloons are openly sold for just a few tens of thousands of VND per balloon and have almost become an indispensable part of many parties among young people.
Recently, on January 31, 2019, the Economic Police Team (Vinh City Police) coordinated with the Hung Binh Ward Police to unexpectedly raid a bar located at 2 Le Hong Phong Street (Vinh City). They discovered dozens of young men and women dancing to extremely loud music, surrounded by thick shisha smoke, and many were intoxicated and freely inhaling nitrous oxide (laughing gas). A search of the bar's storage room revealed two gas cylinders used to inflate "laughing gas" balloons and 170 unused rubber balloons.
To enhance the prevention and control of the harmful effects of nitrous oxide use, the People's Committee of Nghe An province requests that agencies, units, and localities intensify propaganda and dissemination efforts regarding the harmful effects of nitrous oxide use; the production, transportation, storage, and sale of nitrous oxide; and penalties for violations, in order to raise awareness and compliance among businesses and the public, especially businesses with security and order requirements and targeting young people and students.
Directing police forces at all levels and localities to strengthen intelligence gathering and closely manage establishments suspected of producing, trading, buying, selling, and organizing the use of nitrous oxide (laughing gas). Conducting inspections and strictly handling businesses with security and order conditions, as well as cafes, karaoke bars, nightclubs, and entertainment venues that engage in the production, storage, sale, or organization of the use of nitrous oxide…
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| Many bars, cafes, and karaoke establishments sell nitrous oxide (laughing gas) to attract young people. (Photo: Nghe An Police) |
The term "laughing gas" is probably unfamiliar to many. However, among young people, laughing gas is becoming a trend, a "novelty" they enjoy when going out to cafes, bars, and karaoke venues. Laughing gas is essentially ordinary balloons filled with a gas called nitrous oxide, a chemical compound with the formula N.2O.
The user will hold the balloon and inhale the gas; when the gas runs out, the balloon deflates. The nitrous oxide gas spreads and is absorbed into the body, creating a feeling of exhilaration and hallucinations that induce laughter. Because of its euphoric and hallucinatory effects, laughing balloons are popular among young people at bars and cafes to add excitement and fun to parties.
Nguyen Vu T. (residing in Vinh City), who has used nitrous oxide, said that when he inhaled it, he felt very happy and excited. However, after returning home, he felt tired and his mind was not clear.
The effectiveness of prevention is not high.
In the official document, the People's Committee of Nghe An province also assessed that the current management of nitrogen gas distillation and trading activities is inadequate.2Some authorities have not paid sufficient attention to this issue. The production, sale, and use of nitrous oxide (laughing gas) are still widespread, but inspection, detection, and handling remain difficult, and the effectiveness of prevention and control efforts is limited.
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| 25 nitrogen gas cylinders2O was arrested by the Vinh City Police. Photo: HQ |
According to the provincial police leadership, the unit has directed police units and localities to get involved, especially in coordination with market management forces and fire prevention and control police, to strengthen inspections and detect points of sale for nitrogen gas.2So that strict measures can be taken.
However, according to the law, nitrogen gas2Oxygen is not a narcotic or a precursor to narcotics, and is not included in the Convention on the Control of Narcotic Substances. Nitrogen gas (N₂)2O is on the list of chemicals with restricted production and trade in the industrial sector, and the main responsibility lies with the Chemical Department, Ministry of Industry and Trade.
According to the Nghe An Provincial Police, the law does not prohibit individuals or organizations from producing or trading nitrogen gas.2O is a gas that is on the list of chemicals with restricted production and trade in industry, and is designated for use in certain medical fields.
Legal regulations and penalties for violations by establishments and individuals trading in nitrogen gas.2The situation remains unclear, with only administrative penalties being imposed, and the severity of the punishments is still too light to be a deterrent. Furthermore, those involved in the illegal trade, storage, and use of "laughing gas" have shifted their methods of operation, distributing it in bars, nightclubs, and even private homes... to evade inspection by authorities.
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| The bar's storage room contained numerous NO2 gas cylinders. Photo: Nghe An Police. |
To improve the effectiveness of handling violations by establishments and individuals trading in nitrogen gas.2O, the nitrogen gas business should be included.2These goods should be included in the list of conditionally traded goods for management and the application of appropriate sanctions. Strong measures are needed against establishments that have been penalized for administrative violations but re-offend, such as revoking their business licenses.